Unang Yakap

Yakap ng Ina

T
Yakap ng Buhay he Philippines is one of 42 nations that account
for 90 percent of global under-five mortality.
An estimated 82,000 Filipino children die
annually before their 5th birthday. More than one-
third (37 percent) of these children are newborns
less than 28 days old. These newborns die mostly of
preventable causes such as asphyxia (lack of oxygen
to the brain) or sepsis (severe infection). The highest
number of newborn deaths occur in the first two
days of life. Factors and conditions surrounding labor,
delivery, and the immediate postpartum period have
been seen as reasons.

N
oting an alarming stagnation in the countrys
neonatal mortality rate, subsequent studies The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, in
have documented a marked lack in the practice particular, aims for a reduction in under-five
of newborn care interventions in the biggest health mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Childhood death
facilities in the country. rates in the Philippines have shown a downward
trend, but the decline dangerously slowed
In response, the Department of Healthwith support down in the past 10 years because the neonatal
mortality rate has remained almost unchanged.

T
from experts, stakeholders, and partners led by the
he Unang Yakap campaign is a call to action by
World Health Organizationcrafted the Newborn
the Department of Health on the national and
Care in the First Week of Life Clinical Practice Guide
local sectors, public and private health and related
Book utilizing a validated, evidence-based process.
sectors, individuals and organizations, mass media,
and academe to strengthen alliances to implement the
On December 7, 2009, the DOH issued an
Essential Newborn Care protocol.
administrative order to implement the ENC protocol
with the goal of rapidly reducing the number of Malaria 8% Pneumonia 19%
newborn deaths in the Philippines. With AO 2009
Measles 4%
- 0025, the whole hierarchy of the DOH and its Injuries 3%
attached agencies, public and private providers of
health care and development partners implementing
the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and
Essential Diarrhea 17%
Other 10%

Nutrition Strategy and all health practitioners of

maternal and newborn care are enjoined to adopt
the policies and protocol on Essential Newborn
Unang Yakap aims Newborn Care: HIV/AIDS 3%

Care. Implementation of the ENC protocol

has the potential to avert approximately
70 percent of newborn deaths that
to save newborn lives. Protocol for 120

Neonatal 37%

New Life
Causes of 100
Other 7%
are due to preventable causes. neonatal death Tetanus 7%
Diarrhea 3%
80

Sepsis or Pneumonia 26%

60

Write for more information to:

Asphyxia 23%
Department of Health
San Lazaro Compound
40

Sta. Cruz, Manila Congenital 8%

(+632) 743-8301 local 1726/8
www.doh.gov.ph
20

Preterm 28%
Or your DOH Centers for Health
Development (Regional DOH Offices) 0

unang yakap National Demographic and Health Survey, 2003

Unang Yakap Flyer Final3.indd 1 3/5/2010 11:52:28 AM

 The Essential Newborn Care protocol is a simple, concise and
straightforward guideline that is backed by solid research evidence
It emphasizes a core sequence of four actions that are
performed step-by-step.
It can be enforced immediately in all health care settings.
unang yakap
What are these time-bound interventions?

1 Immediate and thorough drying

of the newborn
Immediate and thorough drying for 30
seconds to one minute warms the newborn
and stimulates breathing.

2 Early skin-to-skin contact between

mother and newborn
3 Properly-timed
Early skin-to-skin contact between mother and
newborn and delayed washing for at least six
hours prevents hypothermia, infection and
hypoglycemia.
4 Non-separation of newborn and
mother for early breastfeeding
cord clamping Continous non-separation of newborn and
and cutting mother for early breastfeeding protects infants
Properly-timed cord clamping and cutting from dying from infection. The first feed
prevents anemia and protects against brain provides colostrum, a substance equivalent to
hemorrhage in premature newborns. Properly the babies first immunization in its protective
timed cord-clamping means waiting for the cord properties.
pulsations to stop (between 1 to 3 minutes).

U
nang Yakap is the campaign to spread the use of the Essential Newborn Care protocol. The ENC protocol
can prevent at least half of newborn deaths without additional cost to both families and hospitals. It is
time to rapidly reduce neonatal mortality. It is time to embrace the Essential Newborn Care protocol.

Unang Yakap Flyer Final3.indd 2 3/5/2010 11:52:30 AM